California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff has established a legal defense fund as he faces a Justice Department investigation into his financial dealings. This move comes after President Donald Trump, during his second term, intensified his accusations against Schiff, a prominent critic and former leader of Trump’s first impeachment trial.

Earlier this summer, Trump accused Schiff of engaging in "a sustained pattern of possible Mortgage Fraud" through posts on Truth Social, a claim Schiff strongly refutes. According to Schiff's spokesperson, Marisol Samayoa, the creation of this defense fund is a response to what they believe is an abuse of the judicial process by Trump and his supporters to punish Schiff for his role in holding the administration accountable.

Trump's allegations focus on Schiff's claims regarding his primary residence, asserting it was in Maryland to obtain financial advantages. The investigation is being led by Ed Martin, a known Trump ally and current director of DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group, who was recently involved in controversies concerning his defense of January 6 rioters and his views on the attack.

Schiff’s legal representation includes Preet Bharara, a former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who has clashed with Trump in the past. Bharara has criticized Martin's involvement in the case as a clear example of the political weaponization of justice.

This legal battle unfolds as FBI Director Kash Patel, previously a staffer on the House Intelligence Committee who worked to counteract the investigation into election interference, released materials suggesting Schiff had once approved leaks to undermine Trump. Schiff's office has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as part of a series of unfounded and defamatory attacks.

The conflict between Schiff and Trump dates back to Trump’s first term when Schiff, a key ally of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, served as the lead prosecutor in Trump's first impeachment trial. The trial, which ended in an acquittal by the GOP-controlled Senate, accused Trump of "abuse of power" and "obstruction of Congress" and catapulted Schiff into a higher national profile, eventually aiding his successful Senate campaign in California.

As the legal and political drama continues, Trump remains vocal in his criticism of Schiff, recently condemning what he calls the "phony 'Russia Russia Russia' investigation" spearheaded by Schiff and others, which he claims posed a significant risk to national security.